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Nutrition Journal 2008, 7:8
doi:10.1186/1475-2891-7-8

Published: 14 February 2008

Abstract

Background

Most studies of Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have focused on either
young children or older adults. The current study compared 11 ADHD adolescents with
12 age-matched controls. The purpose was to examine differences in dietary intake,
particularly of essential fatty acids, and determine whether this could explain the
typical abnormalities in red blood cell fatty acids observed in previous studies of
young children. A secondary purpose was to determine if there were relationships between
circulating concentrations of essential fatty acids and specific ADHD behaviours as
measured by the Conners' Parent Rating Scale (CPRS-L).

Methods

Eleven ADHD adolescents and twelve age-matched controls were recruited through newspaper
ads, posters and a university website. ADHD diagnosis was confirmed by medical practitioners
according to DSM-IV criteria. Blood, dietary intake information as well as behavioural
assessments were completed.

Results

Results showed that ADHD adolescents consumed more energy and fat than controls but
had similar anthropometry. ADHD children consumed equivalent amounts of omega-3 and
omega-6 fatty acids to controls, however they had significantly lower levels of docosahexaenoic
acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) and total omega-3 fatty acids, higher omega-6 fatty acids and
a lower ratio of n-3:n-6 fatty acids than control subjects. In addition, low omega-3
status correlated with higher scores on several Conners' behavioural scales.

Conclusion

These data suggest that adolescents with ADHD continue to display abnormal essential
fatty acid profiles that are often observed in younger children and distinctly different
from normal controls of similar age. Further these red blood cell fatty acid differences
are not explained by differences in intake. This suggests that there are metabolic
differences in fatty acid handling between ADHD adolescents and normal controls. The
value of omega-3 supplements to improve fatty acid profiles and possibly behaviours
associated with ADHD, need to be examined.